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Empressite

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Empress Josephine Mine (Empress Josephine and Boss Mammoth Claims), Bonanza, Bonanza District (Kerber Creek District), Saguache Co., Colorado, USA
© Christopher O'Neill

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Formula:
AgTe
System:OrthorhombicColour:light bronze
Lustre:MetallicHardness:3 - 3½
Name:For the type locality, the Empress Josephine Mine, Colorado.


Related to stützite.

Classification of Empressite

IMA status:Approved
Strunz 8th edition ID:2/B.05-90
Nickel-Strunz 10th (pending) edition ID:2.CB.80

2 : SULFIDES and SULFOSALTS (sulfides, selenides, tellurides; arsenides, antimonides, bismuthides; sulfarsenites, sulfantimonites, sulfbismuthites, etc.)
C : Metal Sulfides, M: S = 1: 1 (and similar)
B : With Zn, Fe, Cu, Ag, etc.
Dana 8th edition ID:2.8.25.

2 : SULFIDES
8 : AmXp, with m:p = 1:1
Hey's CIM Ref.:3.2.6

3 : Sulphides, Selenides, Tellurides, Arsenides and Bismuthides (except the arsenides, antimonides and bismuthides of Cu, Ag and Au, which are included in Section 1)
2 : Sulphides etc. of Ag
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Type Occurrence of Empressite

Type Locality:Empress Josephine Mine (Empress Josephine and Boss Mammoth Claims), Bonanza, Bonanza District (Kerber Creek District), Saguache Co., Colorado, USA
Year of Discovery:1914

Occurrences of Empressite

Geological Setting:Low temperature, gold poor, hydrothermal veins

Physical Properties of Empressite

Lustre:Metallic
Diaphaneity (Transparency):Opaque
Colour:light bronze
Comment:Tarnishes darker bronze
Streak:grey-black to black
Hardness (Mohs):3 - 3½
Hardness (Vickers):VHN25=135 - 151 kg/mm2
Tenacity:Brittle
Cleavage:None Observed
Fracture:Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal
Density (measured):7.61 g/cm3
Density (calculated):7.61 g/cm3

Crystallography of Empressite

Crystal System:Orthorhombic
Class (H-M):mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) - Dipyramidal
Cell Parameters:a = 8.90Å, b = 20.07Å, c = 4.62Å
Ratio:a:b:c = 0.443 : 1 : 0.23
Unit Cell Volume:V 825.24 ų (Calculated from Unit Cell)
Z:16
Morphology:Compact granular masses, rarely in crystals

Optical Data of Empressite

Type:Anisotropic
Anisotropism:strong - gray to yellowish white to grasyish blue
Bireflectance:moderate to strong
Colour in reflected light:greyish white
Pleochroism:Strong
Comments:Gray to creamy white

Chemical Properties of Empressite

Formula:
AgTe
Essential elements:Ag, Te
All elements listed in formula:Ag, Te
Common Impurities:Pb,Cu,Fe,S

Relationship of Empressite to other Species

Common Associates:
RickarditePyritePetziteHessite
Related Minerals - Nickel-Strunz Grouping):

- +
2.CB.05aColoradoite
HgTe
2.CB.05aHawleyite
CdS
2.CB.05aMetacinnabar
HgS
2.CB.05cPolhemusite
(Zn,Hg)S
2.CB.05bSakuraiite
(Cu,Zn,Fe)
 
3
(In,Sn)S
 
4
2.CB.05aSphalerite
ZnS
2.CB.05aStilleite
ZnSe
2.CB.05aTiemannite
HgSe
2.CB.05UM1998-15-S:CuFeZn
Cu
 
2
Fe
 
3
Zn
 
5
S
 
10
2.CB.05aRudashevskyite
(Fe,Zn)S
2.CB.10aChalcopyrite
CuFeS
 
2
2.CB.10aEskebornite
CuFeSe
 
2
2.CB.10aGallite
CuGaS
 
2
2.CB.10bHaycockite
Cu
 
4
Fe
 
5
S
 
8
2.CB.10aLenaite
AgFeS
 
2
2.CB.10bMooihoekite
Cu
 
9
Fe
 
9
S
 
16
2.CB.10bPutoranite
Cu
 
9
(Fe,Ni)
 
9
S
 
16
2.CB.10aRoquesite
CuInS
 
2
2.CB.10bTalnakhite
Cu
 
9
(Fe,Ni)
 
8
S
 
16
2.CB.10aLaforêtite
AgInS
 
2
2.CB.15aČernýite
Cu
 
2
(Cd,Zn,Fe)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15aFerrokesterite
Cu
 
2
(Fe,Zn)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15aHocartite
Ag
 
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Zn)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15aIdaite
Cu
 
5
FeS
 
6
2.CB.15aKesterite
Cu
 
2
(Zn,Fe)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15aKuramite
Cu
 
3
SnS
 
4
2.CB.15bMohite
Cu
 
2
SnS
 
3
2.CB.15aPirquitasite
Ag
 
2
ZnSnS
 
4
2.CB.15aStannite
Cu
 
2
(Fe,Zn)SnS
 
4
2.CB.15cStannoidite
Cu
+
6
Cu
2+
2
(Fe
2+
 
,Zn)
 
3
Sn
 
2
S
 
12
2.CB.15aVelikite
(Cu,Hg)
 
11
Sn
 
4
S
 
16
2.CB.15cUM2006-11-S:CuFeGeZn
Cu
 
8
(Fe,Zn)
 
3
Ge
 
2
S
 
12
 (?)
2.CB.20Chatkalite
Cu
 
6
FeSn
 
2
S
 
8
2.CB.20Mawsonite
Cu
 
6
Fe
 
2
SnS
 
8
2.CB.30Colusite
Cu
 
26
V
 
2
(As,Sn,Sb)
 
6
S
 
32
2.CB.30Germanite
Cu
 
13
Fe
 
2
Ge
 
2
S
 
16
2.CB.30Germanocolusite
Cu
 
26
V
 
2
(Ge,As)
 
6
S
 
32
2.CB.30Nekrasovite
Cu
 
26
V
 
2
(Sn,As,Sb)
 
6
S
 
32
2.CB.30Stibiocolusite
Cu
 
13
V
 
4
(Sb,Sn,As)
 
3
S
 
16
2.CB.30Ovamboite
Cu
 
20
(Fe,Cu,Zn)
 
6
W
 
2
Ge
 
6
S
 
32
2.CB.30Maikainite
Cu
 
20
(Fe,Cu)
 
6
Mo
 
2
Ge
 
6
S
 
32
2.CB.35aHemusite
Cu
 
6
SnMoS
 
8
2.CB.35aKiddcreekite
Cu
 
6
SnWS
 
8
2.CB.35aPolkovicite
(Fe,Pb)
 
3
(Ge,Fe)
 
1-x
S
 
4
2.CB.35aRenierite
(Cu,Zn)
 
11
(Ge,As)
 
2
Fe
 
4
S
 
16
2.CB.35aVinciennite
Cu
+
7
Cu
2+
3
Fe
2+
2
Fe
3+
2
Sn(As,Sb)S
 
16
2.CB.35aMorozeviczite
(Pb,Fe)
 
3
Ge
 
1-x
S
 
4
2.CB.35bCatamarcaite
Cu
 
6
GeWS
 
8
2.CB.40Lautite
CuAsS
2.CB.45Cadmoselite
CdSe
2.CB.45Greenockite
CdS
2.CB.45Wurtzite
(Zn,Fe)S
2.CB.45Rambergite
MnS
2.CB.55aCubanite
CuFe
 
2
S
 
3
2.CB.55bIsocubanite
CuFe
 
2
S
 
3
2.CB.60Picotpaulite
TlFe
 
2
S
 
3
2.CB.60Raguinite
TlFeS
 
2
2.CB.65Argentopyrite
AgFe
 
2
S
 
3
2.CB.65Sternbergite
AgFe
 
2
S
 
3
2.CB.70Sulvanite
Cu
 
3
VS
 
4
2.CB.75Vulcanite
CuTe
2.CB.85Muthmannite
AuAgTe
 
2
Related Minerals - Hey's Index Grouping:

- +
3.2.1Acanthite
Ag
 
2
S
3.2.3Naumannite
Ag
 
2
Se
3.2.4Aguilarite
Ag
 
4
SeS
3.2.5Hessite
Ag
 
2
Te
3.2.7Stützite
Ag
 
5-x
Te
 
3
, x = 0.24-0.36
3.2.8Cervelleite
Ag
 
4
TeS
3.2.9Dervillite
Ag
 
2
AsS
 
2
3.2.10Stromeyerite
AgCuS
3.2.11Mckinstryite
Ag
 
5-x
Cu
 
3+x
S
 
4
3.2.12Jalpaite
Ag
 
3
CuS
 
2
3.2.13Eucairite
AgCuSe
3.2.14Cameronite
AgCu
 
7
Te
 
10
3.2.15Henryite
Ag
 
3
Cu
 
4
Te
 
4
3.2.16Sternbergite
AgFe
 
2
S
 
3
3.2.17Argentopyrite
AgFe
 
2
S
 
3
3.2.18Geffroyite
(Cu,Fe,Ag)
 
9
(Se,S)
 
8
3.2.19Argentopentlandite
Ag(Fe,Ni)
 
8
S
 
8

Other Names for Empressite

Other Languages:
German:Empressit
Russian:Эмпрессит
Spanish:Empressita

Other Information

Health Warning:No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

References for Empressite

Reference List:

- +
Bradley (1914), American Journal of Science: 38: 163.

Schaller (1914), Washington Academy of Science Journal: 4: 497.

Bradley (1915), American Journal of Science: 39: 223.

Palache, Charles, Harry Berman & Clifford Frondel (1944), The System of Mineralogy of James Dwight Dana and Edward Salisbury Dana Yale University 1837-1892, Volume I: Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York. 7th edition, revised and enlarged: 260.

Thompson, R.M., M.A. Peacock, J.F. Rowland, and L.G. Berry (1951): Empressite and “stuetzite”. Am. Mineral., 36, 458-469.

Honea, R.M. (1964) Empressite and stuetzite redefined. American Mineralogist 49, 325-328.

Cabri, L.J. (1965) Discussion of “empressite and stuetzite redefined” by R.M. Honea. Am. Mineral., 50, 795-801.

Stumpfl, E.F. and J. Rucklidge (1968) New data on natural phases in the system Ag–Te. American Mineralogist 53, 1513–1522.

Criddle, A.J. and C.J. Stanley, Editors. (1993) Quantitative data file for ore minerals, 3rd ed. Chapman & Hall, London, 154.

Bindi, L., P.G. Spry, and C. Cipriani (2004) Empressite, AgTe, from the Empress-Josephine mine, Colorado, U.S.A.: composition, physical properties, and determinatioon of the crystal structure. American Mineralogist 89, 1043-1047.

Internet Links for Empressite

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  • Empressite details from Handbook of Mineralogy (PDF)
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    • Localities for Empressite

    The map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the symbol to view information about a locality. The symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.
    Hide Locality List
    (TL) indicates type locality. ? indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality. All other localities listed without reference should be considered as uncertain and unproven until references can be found.
    Canada
     
    • Ontario
      • Sudbury District
        • Levack
    		Canadian Mineralogist Vol. 17, pp.275-285 (1979)
    China
     
    • Hunan Province
      • Chenzhou Prefecture
        • Guiyang Co.
    		Am Min 89:1043-1047
    Fiji
     
    • Viti Levu
      • Tavua Gold Field
        • Vatukoula
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990; Econ Geol (1987) 82:345-370
    Japan
     
    • Honshu Island
      • Chubu Region
        • Shizuoka Prefecture
          • Shimoda City
            • Rendaiji
    		Takasu (1965) Kobutsu-Gaku Zasshi (Journal of the Mineralogical Society of Japan), 7, 350-355.; Int Geol Congr (2008) Oslo. MRD-09
    Norway
     
    • Nordland
      • Fauske
        • Sulitjelma
          • Sulitjelma Cu Mines
    		Cook, N. J. (1996): Mineralogy of the sulphide deposits at Sulitjelma, northern Norway. Ore Geology Reviews 11: 303-308
    Romania
     
    • Hunedoara Co.
      • Brad
    		Singer, D.A., Berger, V.I., and Moring, B.C. (2008): US Geological Survey Open-File Report 2008-1155.
    www.minerals-of-the-carpathians,2009
    South Korea
     
    • Gyeongsangnam-do (Kyongsang-namdo)
    		Econ Geol (1990) 85:1114-1132
    Switzerland
     
    • Wallis (Valais)
      • Goms
        • Furka pass area
          • Furka
    		Stalder, H. A., Wagner, A., Graeser, S. and Stuker, P. (1998): "Mineralienlexikon der Schweiz", Wepf (Basel), p. 177.
    Turkey
     
    • Marmara Region
      • Balikesir Province
        • Ayvalık
    		Oyman, T. (2010): Geochemistry, mineralogy and genesis of the Ayazmant Fe–Cu skarn deposit in Ayvalik, (Balikesir), Turkey. Ore Geology Reviews 37, 175-201.
    USA
     
    • Arizona
      • Cochise Co.
        • Tombstone Hills
          • Tombstone District
    		Anthony, J.W., et al (1995), Mineralogy of Arizona, 3rd.ed.: 212.
    • Colorado
      • Boulder Co.
        • Gold Hill District
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) E.B. Eckels
    American Mineralogist (1949) 34:341-382
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
        • Magnolia District
    		In the collection of Brent Thorne.
        • Sugarloaf District
    		Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
      • Saguache Co.
        • Bonanza District (Kerber Creek District)
          • Bonanza
    		Am Min 49 (1964), 325; American Mineralogist (1930) 15: 272-273
    Minerals of Colorado (1997) Eckels, E. B.
    • Washington
      • Chelan Co.
        • Wenatchee District
          • Wenatchee
            • Squillchuck Creek
    		Lasmanis, R. (1995): Mineral News: A Compendium of Wenatchee District Mineralogy, Chelan County, Washington, p.6-7
    Uzbekistan
     
    • Tashkent (Toshkent) Viloyati
      • Angren Region
        • Chatkal-Kuraminskii Range
    		Anthony, Bideaux, Bladh, Nichols: "Handbook of Mineralogy", Vol. 1, 1990; Dmitriy I. Belakovskiy (2003): New Data on Minerals: 38: 101-112.
    Mineral and/or Locality
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    Copyright © Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau 1993-2011. Site Map. Locality, mineral & photograph data are the copyright of the individuals who submitted them. Further information contact the Site hosted & developed by Jolyon Ralph. Mindat.org is an online information resource dedicated to providing free mineralogical information to all. Mindat relies on the contributions of hundreds of members and supporters. Mindat does not offer minerals for sale. If you would like to add information to improve the quality of our database, then click here to register.
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